Bad babysitter - maybe even really bad - Q's and need opinions!

I've had a babysitter that comes to my house every Tuesday and Thursday while I work since June.† My LO hates her - to the point where she screams and clings to me (or really anyone) other than the sitter when I'm getting ready to leave for the day.† And it hasn't gotten better over the many months that have past.

In addition this Tuesday, the sitter tells me that my LO won't drink anything and that my LO wants to do nothing but sleep all day.† Today my LO slept 5 of the 9 hours I was gone and drank not one sip of her water.† I'm fairly certain that my sitter doesn't go the extra†mile to keep my LO hydrated†or†active.††The sitter†is in the same damn spot on the couch everyday watching shows she wants to watch.

I'm really starting to question why the hell I don't have the balls to cut ties with this sitter.††I happen to work with her fiance - in the same 3-man department infact.†

Does anyone have any insight - or had to fire their sitter?† How did you do it?† I'm gonna do it but I need some advice . . . I don't want to tell her she sucks.

Comments (27)

Does your LO have a fever? ¬†Sounds likes she's sick or something from all that sleeping and not drinking. ¬†I would get rid of the babysitter asap, and I wouldn't worry overmuch about sugar-coating it. ¬†But if you want to, just let her know that you don't think she and your LO are a good fit for each other. ¬†Because at the very least, that is certainly seeming true. ¬†If she's been with that sitter for months, she should be fairly attached, not screaming and clingy, even given that this age is when separation anxiety is peaking.

I wouldn't leave my LO with a sitter like that for even another day. ¬†Was she at all concerned that your LO was sleeping so much and wouldn't drink anything?

If you are uncomfortable with firing the nanny because of your position with her fiance, I would put your lo in daycare as an excuse to get rid of the nanny. ¬†If you are unhappy with daycare go back to a new nanny. ¬†I had a nanny and she was good in the beginning but then slacked big time. ¬†We then decided on daycare and she LOVES it. ¬†

I know - I was pretty upset about this today - I came home for lunch and my LO's in bed - she's never asleep at 12:30 in the afternoon for anyone else (my family watches her the rest of the week) and then I come home for the day at 5:15 and she's in bed AGAIN!

I immediately went upstairs and snagged her out of bed.¬† And the sitter is as nice as can be . . . telling me that Sadie goes to the stairs and sits there so she puts¬†her in the crib and¬†Sadie¬†lays there and eventually falls asleep.¬†

I have a whole list of other complaints . . .¬†tonight¬†I told my DH that we're going to a daycare.¬†

I agree not one more day! Tell her you thought your child would be ok by now, and since she hasn't adjusted then it's time to move on. Id be scared that somethings happened. Have you done a background on this lady? Was she recommended? I would ask her pediatrician what he he thinks.
T&Ps

I don't think the sitter is being mean but I do think she's half-stupid and doesn't know how to take care of a child.¬† Why isn't my child drinking when the sitter's there but drinks damn near the whole sippy cup of water as soon as the sitter leaves?¬† To be honest, I don't think the sitter offers the sippy cup I have sitting right there on the counter.

I don't blame you for feeling a little nervous. You work with just 2 other people and one of them is her fiance? That is really tough. BUT, please please please do not let it stop you from doing what you know is best for your daughter!!! I agree with your decision to put her in daycare. That sounds likethe best move.

Yeah - I got myself into this by taking a chance with a 26 year old girl who seemed to be smart and nice and Sadie liked her the 1st time they met.¬† And she has a 2 year old niece and a 5 month old niece that she talks about all the time . . . and she is a nice girl . . . but you all are right . . . this is too weird to let go on any longer.